SWAT Team, major police action for suicidal man in Burien home Thursday

Police were called for a welfare check on a home in Burien on 8th Ave South between SW 140th and SW 146th Thursday night (May 22), and upon discovering a suicidal man, called in a SWAT team and backup.

“We were called by a concerned friend that a male at the location was wanting to harm himself,” King County Sheriff Sgt. DB Gates told The B-Town Blog. “Patrol responded and the male declined to come out of the house – he was alone in the house.”

Police soon discovered that the man had an active warrant out for his arrest.

Deputies attempted to talk him out, but he continued to refuse so Hostage Negotiators, as well as KCSO TAC 30 deputies responded.

A search warrant was obtained and after further attempts to communicate failed, members of TAC 30 entered the house and found the male hiding in the crawl space of the home.

He was taken into custody and transported to King County Jail for the warrant. No weapons were located in a search of the house.

The involved male is a 49-year old Burien resident and the warrant was from Snohomish County for Eluding. Patrol arrived around 5:40 p.m. and he was in custody just before 10 p.m.

We received several calls from Readers (and appreciate the tips – our text/photo # is 206-659-8768), some of whom claimed there were “dozens of cops” all over the area.

Another caller said “there was an explosion and small arms fire” at one point as well.

Here are some photos sent in by Readers of the action (click images to see larger versions):